Southwest Softball Opens Season with Three Wins at Mardi Gras Classic

Southwest Mississippi’s softball team posted a 2-1 record during the Mardi Gras Classic in Youngsville, Louisiana, on Jan. 29-30, according to coach Shea Johnson.

The Lady Bears opened the tournament with a 6-2 loss to Gulf Coast State. Alexis Dejean went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a double, while Tristan Allen hit a home run and drove in two runs.

On Friday afternoon, Southwest defeated Baton Rouge Community College 8-2. Corin Talbot started the game, and Allie Ladnier finished, combining to allow only four hits and two runs. Multiple players contributed offensively, with Bailey McLin, Allie Ladnier, Tristan Allen, Alexis Dejean, and Madalyn Ashford each driving in a run. Allen also hit a triple.

The Lady Bears capped the tournament with a high-scoring 16-13 victory over Kilgore College. Down 7-0 after the first inning, Southwest rallied with two home runs in the next inning to tie the game at 9-9. Kilgore retook the lead at 13-9 in the fifth, but Southwest responded with a three-run inning to take a 16-13 lead in the sixth. Tye Boone pitched the final innings, securing the win with three consecutive outs. Jana Phillips led offensively with two home runs and eight RBIs in the game. Allen and Talbot also homered, each adding multiple RBIs, while Dejean and Ashford each had three hits.

“Super proud of the fight! We came back from 9-2 in the third. Girls fought hard all tourney,” Johnson said. The Lady Bears are scheduled to play again Feb. 5 in Monroeville, Alabama, against Coastal Alabama North in a doubleheader.

Source: Original Article